Our Middle Child

A few years ago I read "The Birth Order Book, why you are the way you are" by Dr. Kevin Leman.  I found it to be so interesting and applicable in figuring out personalities within our home, extended family and friends. Since I grew up with two siblings and I have three kids of my own, we pretty much match the stereotypical birth order personality types.  I think it becomes more complicated for people with larger families to decipher who is what type.  Anyway, this book has helped me to learn and to watch my kids as they interact with me and others.  I discovered a few things about my middle son (Levi) who is 9 years old:

He hates conflict and having attention drawn to him.  This reminded me of a time when he was probably less than two years old.  We were at a church potluck and he was wearing a light yellow polo shirt while eating chocolate cake.  Everyone at the table was amazed he hadn't gotten any on him and THEN.......he wiped his mouth on his shirt.  The entire table roared in laughter and he burst into tears! He was so embarrassed and I couldn't figure out why.

[This is where I was going to post an adorable picture of Levi and he asked me not to......need I say more about the above paragraph?  However, he did want me to post several pictures of his frog named Camo].

Other kids are drawn to him.  Why?  He is a peacemaker and he tends to give other kids their way. Kids like this personality in a playmate!  He is very social and middle children can often seek friendship outside the family more than the other birth orders.

Now some middle children won't like this one, but I think it is very true.....he can be a bit of a martyr and a victim at times.  He tends to keep track of what everyone else gets and knows if he didn't get his "share".  My boys are all competitive in their own way so this has lead us to many conversations about "fairness" in this world.  One of the things I say to my kids is "life isn't fair and it's good to find this out before adulthood!"  I am also trying to teach them to be happy for each other.  "Be glad when your brother does well, not jealous."

He is extremely creative and inventive.  He is always making something around the house.  He loves tools so he can build more things.  He is an especially good helper and knows more about Grandpa's pond than any of the rest of us.  Recently Grandpa went to Nebraska to visit some family and left Levi in charge of watching the pond levels.  One day Dale told Levi he made some adjustments to the pond and Levi responded by asking several questions about what exactly he did.  Making sure Dad didn't mess something up!

A fly swatter Levi built (yes, it actually works)!

Levi made a pillbox to match Grandpa's

He hates sitting still.  I don't think this much applies to birth order, but it certainly applies to Levi.  He is moving all the time.  He is also an incredible frog hunter.  His Grandma Thompson has lots of frogs at her house this time of year and he (I have no idea how) found one in the dark the other night and brought it home.

Levi made his frog "Camo" a boat out of
a Dixie cup and let him float in my bathroom sink.

He also made his frog a couch to lounge on
(also out of a Dixie cup).

All of my boys are special to me.  As Psalm 139:14 says they are "fearfully and wonderfully made". They are unique and this keeps me on my toes!